Ever since they were AAU basketball teammates back when they were 9 years old, Kingsway High School’s Ray Lawry and Williamstown’s Marquis Little have been friends. Now entering their senior year of high school, two of South Jersey’s top football recruits will play together at Old Dominion University in the fall of 2014.

“Its a nice campus,” said Lawry. “It was very nice around the whole football facility, too. Me and Marquis got to hang out with the players and the coaches, go in the locker room and we got to try on jerseys.”

After the visit, Little made his commitment while Lawry waited a few days to make it official.

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For a Football Championship Subdivision Old Dominion team, who is trying to move up into the Football Bowl Subdivision in the next few years, it was a perfect fit for both Little and Lawry.

“It’s a great chance for them,” said Williamstown head football coach Frank Fucetola. “It’s a beautiful and upcoming school. Marquis will be able to play immediately. It’s good for both of them to be able to play together already knowing each other. It’s a better atmosphere and they are more relaxed.”

Both of them turned down offers from Temple.

“Temple was too close to home,” said Lawry. “ODU is not too far from home but not too close either.”

Lawry’s breakout season opened a lot of people’s eyes last season as he rushed for 2,225 yards on 223 carries, scored 28 touchdowns and had 45 tackles and five interceptions on defense. In the last four games for Kingsway’s season, he scored 16 touchdowns. He was named one of the first team all-South Jersey Times running backs.

View full sizeWilliamstown's Marquis Little sneaks around as Austin Odd holds back Atlantic City's defense in the playoffs last season. File Photo

Little, on the other hand, ran for 1,075 and 17 touchdowns, and added 17 catches for 388 yards and six touchdowns. He posted 28 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He was named an all-South Jersey Times first team athlete.

Kingsway head football coach Tony Barchuk knows his star can make a difference wherever he goes next fall.

“Any place he wants to go, I’ll stand behind him,” said Barchuk. “He really liked (ODU). He feels that he can make a contribution from the get-go and the coach thinks so too. Where ever he goes, he is going to be a player. He is going to have to get a little better. We are talking about the next level but I am looking forward to seeing him improving.”

Little can’t wait for his chance to play for the Monarchs.

“I want to win a bowl game,” said Little. “And by the time I graduate, I want the team to be ranked.”

“I’m going to do my best with this team,” added Lawry. “They are an up-and-coming team and I want to get a lot of wins.”